When is it ok to walk away from your job for your mental health

When is it ok to walk away from yur job for your mental healthWhen is it ok to walk away from your job for your mental healthWhen I was in high school, my group of nerdy and rather competitive friends liked to play the how-little-did-I-sleep game. It was as absurd as it sounds.Every morning nodding off at our high school science class desks, we would humble-brag about how much homework we had done the night before, how many activities and hours of part time work we had managed to squeeze in, and how little sleep we got. We were hard workers, with cultural messages telling us that hard work was the only way to guarantee success. We figured all thatsacrificed sleepwould surely pay off in future happiness - right?Society Pushes Us to OverworkNot so fast. In actuality, the pressure we felt to sacrifice wellbeing for success reflects an increasing reality of American life. Americans are working longer hours than ever before, even thoughour wagesare stagnating.This cycle of overwork is fu eled by a culture that teaches us to value making immense sacrifices to achieve big goals. Were often forced to choose between a vorrcken and quality time with family, orsacrificing sleepfor extra productivity. This pressure to push oneself can lead to burnout for anyone, and can be particularly burdensome and stigmatizing for people living with mental illness.For many people struggling to make ends meet, stepping back fromdifficult workplace conditionsisnt an option. For others, stepping back for mental health reasons isnt a choice - its survival.If youre in the position of rethinking your career trajectory for your mental health, its normal to have mixed feelings. Yet manypeople who have made the choiceto walk away from career goals that dont support their wellbeing report greater health and fulfillment. Psychological research on work and happiness backs this up theres no professional accolade that can replacesocial connection, good health, and asense of purpose.Overwork Leads to Worse Mental HealthAmericans are working mora than ever - and thats bad news for our mental health. As of 2018, one third of Americans worked45 hours a week or more- thats 7.8% more hours than we did in 1979. Meanwhile, we sleep an average of 6.5 hours a night, less than we did 80 years ago and less than therecommendedseven to nine hours a night. Wages, meanwhile, havelargely stagnated- meaning that if you feel like youre working harder just to tread water in the workplace, its definitely not all in your head.These statistics dont bode well for our mental health. People who work longer hours are athigher riskfor anxiety and depression. They also get less sleep, which in turn leads to negativephysical and mental health effectsranging from high blood pressure to a weakened immune system. Beyond the time we spend working, job satisfaction iscorrelated to mental and physical health. People who are less satisfied with their jobs experience worse health outcomes.When to Walk AwayEvery one hits roadblocks and difficulties on the way to achieving a goal. So how can you tell the difference between a simple setback on your path, and when your goals arent supporting your growth and happiness anymore?Therapistsrecommendconsideringhow your current situation is impacting you physically and mentally. Do you still connect to a broader sense of purpose? Does your work enable you to pursue other things that matter, like family, community, or activities that fulfill you? Is your office environmenttoxicor abusive?If youre still inspired by your dream, but stuckverzierung in poor working conditions, you may be craving a more respectful and sustainable work environment in which to pursue your goals (and youre entitled to that). If the goals you originally valued no longer resonate, it may be time for a bigger change.These decisions arent entirely cerebral. Psychological stress affects every aspect of our health, so people who have chosen to take a different career direction for the sake of their mental health recommendpaying attentionto your body.Jamie Sogan, who writes about leaving her law job in favor of her mental health inThrive Global,describesthe daily physical toll of working a high-pressure job that was unfulfilling and incompatible with her mental health. If something in your life is making you sick every day, then dont be afraid to stand up for your own health and well-being and make a change, she writes.Care is CourageousIn a culture where our professions often become our identities, giving up a career goal or even an entire career path can be daunting, to say the least. Its also not something every worker, particularly workers living paycheck to paycheck, can do. But if your job is making you miserable or your original goals arent compatible with your future thriving, reevaluating your aims might be the right choice.Everyone should be able to earn a living without having to sacrifice their health. In a competitive environment, choosing care is an act of courage. If the goals you once valued are no longer compatible with your individual and social thriving, walking away isnt giving up - its growing.This article was originally published on Talkspace.